The Boba Wrap and the Moby Wrap are both soft wraps designed to hold your baby close to you. A wrap is a wonderful baby carrier for a newborn, they are simple in that there are no buckles or straps to configure. They both consist of one long piece of fabric that you tie.
When my first baby was born I had a Bjorn ready to go, but I kept hearing from other moms how wonderful a wrap was for a newborn. The name I kept hearing over and over was the Moby wrap. One day my mother came home from the store with a Boba wrap for me and that is how I ended up with the Boba over the Moby.
I always wondered though, was the Moby better, what was the difference, and did I end up with the right choice? After using my Boba for three babies and absolutely loving it, I can thoroughly recommend it.
I still wanted to know though, what the was the difference, so I decided I had to check a Moby out and that’s what I did. While they are very similar, they do have a few differences which I will discuss here.
Boba Wrap
The Boba Wrap has a simple design, no buckles, straps or buttons. It evenly distributes baby’s weight so it’s comfortable for a long wear time. Baby can be carried facing you and in an infant hold.
Boba wraps are made out of a machine washable 95% Cotton/5% Spandex blend. I love the spandex blend because that little bit of stretch keeps the feeling snug and from stretching out on you.
This wrap can support a weight Range of 7-35lbs.
Moby Wrap
The Moby wrap is recommended for babies 8-35 lbs and made out of machine washable 100% cotton. When wrapped, the Moby uses your entire back and shoulders to distribute your baby’s weight. It is simply one long piece of fabric that you tie, there are no buttons or straps to deal with.
Similarities between the Boba and Moby wrap
If you are familiar with these wraps at all you already know that they are very similar. Both wraps are one long piece of fabric that needs to be tied. Either one will make a great option for a newborn baby. They are one size fits all.
Both Moby and Boba wraps support a baby or toddler up to 35 pounds, although they work the best for newborns and babies under 15 pounds. Both come in many color and style options. Either one is considered a great beginner or starter wrap.
Differences between the Boba and Moby wrap
The Moby wrap is longer and wider so there is more fabric to deal with. I am not sure if this would be considered a pro or a con since I found the amount of fabric in the Boba more than sufficient. I am very used to wrapping the Boba and found the extra fabric a bit cumbersome, but I am sure it wouldn’t be hard to get used to it.
The fabric on the Boba feels a little thicker and is very soft. The Moby felt more like a soft tee shirt fabric to me. Think of it like comparing a soft sweatshirt material (Boba) to a tee shirt material (Moby) in terms of thickness and weight.
The biggest and main difference between these two wraps is that the Boba has 5% spandex adding a bit of stretch to it that the Moby does not have. For the Boba it is recommended to wrap it as tightly as possible since it can be stretched to insert your baby. With the Moby it is recommended to get the wrap just right since there is no additional stretch to work with.
They also offer many different color and style options. I see the Moby now has some different fabric options while the Boba is still the same fabric but has lots of colors.
Conclusion
I personally love wraps for newborn babies. Despite claims that either of these wraps can go to 35 pounds, I tend to use an Ergo and sling more once my babies are over 15 pounds.
The Boba and Moby are very similar in this regard and I cannot recommend that one will last longer than the either.
Both wraps need to be tied and this does have a bit of a learning curve but many women find it easy once they get it down.
In many cases this is going to come down to a personal preference. Do you prefer to have a little stretch in your wrap? Or a thicker fabric but less fabric overall to deal with? Then the Boba is probably for you.
My personal pick is the Boba but I am sure that I could have used a Moby and been very happy with it when my baby was a newborn. I used a Boba for all three of my babies and it lasted without any wear and tear and I have since donated it. I was sad to see it go!
Pricing is very similar with the two wraps. You can check out the Boba here and the Moby here to learn more.
Let me know, did you use one or the either and have a preference?
Update 2018 – When I wrote this post originally Boba and Moby were the main stretchy wraps around. Now there are so many other options, which I have tried a few. You definitely cannot go wrong with Boba or Moby though.
One other wrap I have tried and recommend too is a Happy Wrap. This is a very lightweight wrap and is pretty different feeling from the Boba or Moby. I used it with my third baby during the summer months of June – August when it was hot. This wrap does not have any stretch so you will want to get the fit right. It also does not have as high a weight limit. I think if I could only have one wrap I would go for the Boba but the Happy Wrap is a great choice for super hot weather.
Here is a little more information about it:
- 100% Bamboo Viscose
- Made in US
- Lightweight, soft and breathable – ideal for hot weather
- Fully adjustable ensuring a perfect fit every time
- Ergonomically supports your baby up to 25 pounds
Find the Happy Wrap here!
If you have any questions at all just let me know in the comments and I will get back to you.
Leslie
March 31, 2015 at 11:21 amThis is interesting. My kids are older and I only had slings for them. They were very big babies though so this probably would not have been a cost-effective option for me. I like the sound of the Boba and will probably buy it as a baby gift now that I’ve seen it here.
Jen
March 31, 2015 at 3:18 pmHi Leslie,
It’s true that the wraps do not last as long as something like the Ergo but they are so softy and cuddly for those newborn days! And some people do use them long term. Thanks for coming by!!
Kim @ Knockitoffcrafts
March 31, 2015 at 11:48 amWhat a great review! I so wish they’d had these around when my babies were babies. So sweet to have your baby so close without straps and buckles!
Jen
March 31, 2015 at 3:19 pmHi Kim,
Thank you! Wraps are great, just wearing your baby so close and very easy to get them in and out once it is tied. Thanks for commenting!
Lo
March 31, 2015 at 3:39 pmI have the Moby wrap and used it from very early on., especially since Max was on the smaller side. There was DEFINITELY a learning curve, but once I got it, baby and I were pros. It’s a little cumbersome, honestly, and I reach for my ergo or sling more often than for the moby (I do love my baby carriers haha), but I do love how soft and snuggly it is. The other wrap I keep hearing about a lot is the solly wrap – it’s supposed to be easier.
Jen
March 31, 2015 at 3:45 pmHi Lo,
I don’t know much about the solly wrap but now I want to check it out haha.. both of my ‘babies’ are probably too big now though. I definitely used my Ergo and Sling more after 3 months or so but in the early days my babies both lived in my Boba. It was worth it for me even though it was a short time. Thanks for coming by and sharing!
Amy
March 31, 2015 at 5:02 pmI’ve always wanted to try these but didn’t know which ones to get. Thanks for giving us the low down. I really want to try this for my little girl. I hope she’s not too big.
Jen
March 31, 2015 at 6:11 pmHi Amy,
They go up to 35 pounds so it might still work for your little girl. I definitely prefer something else as they get older though. Thanks for coming by!
Amy
May 1, 2015 at 12:42 pmI lived in my SleepyWrap until my daughter was about 4 months old. It was a lifesaver during the worst of her reflux! It sounds like it’s a lot like the Boba. We had a Moby too, but I only used it if the Sleepy was in the wash. I ended up giving it to another mom.
Jen
May 1, 2015 at 3:11 pmThanks Amy! I think Sleepwrap and Boba are the same company! I think they changed their name.
Heather
July 18, 2015 at 11:21 pmThis is helpful! Thank you for sharing! For anyone a little intimidated like me by the amount of material and perfect tying needed for these wraps, the K’tan is a great option. Also comparable in price. I have loved it these last four months! I want to buy a sling now I think. Which do you suggest?
Jen
July 19, 2015 at 1:09 pmHi Heather, I never did try a K’tan but they do look easy to use. I love my Sakura Bloom ring slings.. pricy but so beautiful and functional.
Liz
October 14, 2015 at 1:46 amHi! So happy I read your review which was great btw. I LOVE my Moby, have not tried the boba but was considering buying but now that I know it’s narrower probably won’t. U see I breast feed using the moby and beacause it’s wider it covers me so well when out and about. I find that it does have some give, not super stretchy but enough. I might be bias since it’s the first wrap I got and learned and has helped me tons this past 21/2 months. I hope u can do a review on slings since I need to start looking for a good one for my LO soon since she’s a chunkster weighing 15lbs yikes! ?
Jen
October 14, 2015 at 9:38 amThe Moby does seem great too. I love my Boba and I am probably a little bias too haha. I did review Sakura Bloom slings which are my favorite and the only sling I have used actually! I love them and still use one with my 22 month old sometimes. Let me know if you have any questions about them!
Leana
November 23, 2015 at 1:13 amHi. I’m a first time mom and just started researching slings and wraps. My 4 month old daughter loves to be in arms, I’m really interested in getting a carrier but not quite sure. She’s a chunky monkey, weighing 17lbs. Would a sling be the better choice?
Jen
November 23, 2015 at 6:47 amAt 4 months a sling or soft structured carrier (like the Ergo) would probably work better. I used my wraps up until about 3 months and then started to find the others easier. A wrap definitely still can be used if that’s what you prefer but I think you will get longer life out of the others at this point!
Leana
November 23, 2015 at 1:52 pmOk, sounds good, thank you so much. Is the ergo the carrier you prefer? I researched the boba and the ergo the baby bjorn but reading on here and other sites the baby bjorn is out of the picture.
Jen
November 23, 2015 at 2:34 pmYes, I love the Ergo! If I could only get one carrier that would probably be it. It does have buckles and a little bit of a learning curve. If having to buckle it doesn’t bother you it’s a great choice. Hope that helps!
Jen
May 20, 2016 at 11:57 pmI just ordered my first wrap for my son who is over 20 lbs is it worth it or should just stick to the carrier?. I like the idea of not having so many buckles but he is getting heavier and does prefer to face forwars. Great comparison in article and feedback on both wraps. 🙂
Jen
May 21, 2016 at 10:20 amHi Jen, What kind of wrap did you get? I think it depends on the type how well it will work for over 20 pounds. I did not use my Boba that much after 20 pounds I used a carrier or ring sling more. I know there are many who do use wraps longer though. Hope that helps!
Olga
December 10, 2016 at 12:40 amI got the Boba wrap with my first baby and loved it as a starter wrap. It made me feel so confident when I first started baby wearing. I agree that at around 15 pounds it was nice to switch to something else. I went with a woven wrap, which I love for the versatility. I now have a one-month-old, and am once again loving my Boba wrap. I just found out my best friend is expecting her first, and wanted to get her a wrap. I was curious how the Moby and Boba wraps compared. After reading your review, I’m glad I have a Boba wrap rather than the Moby (although I’m sure it’s a great wrap too). I am going to stick with the Boba wrap for my friend. Thanks!
Jen
December 12, 2016 at 9:00 amHi Olga,
I love the Boba wrap. I am sure the Moby is great as well but I have stuck with the Boba.
Tasha
December 21, 2016 at 11:09 pmDid you breast feed with your wrap? I’m curious to see which one works better for that.
Jen
December 23, 2016 at 12:20 pmHi Tasha,
I have never been able to really breastfeed in a wrap without taking the arm part of it off and pulling everything down. I know there are videos on YouTube showing how to do it. I think either one would work about the same for breastfeeding because they tie the same way.
JoAnna
January 6, 2017 at 9:58 pmHi my name is JoAnna I just want to say thanks your advice I am a mom of 4 that are under 5 years have a 3 month old baby boy and he constantly wants to be in my arms I hurd about the Moby wrap from my sister and she sed she absolutely loves it so I desided to do some resurch and I tryes to make one out of a throw blanket he fell in love with it and is only happy when I have him in it your article helped me alot since now I know the difference I think I will definitely go with a boba I like the idea of it being alittle stretch to it!! Thanks so much!
Shannon
February 9, 2017 at 2:42 pmI’m a on seeing which would be better for hot weather??
Shannon
February 9, 2017 at 2:42 pmThat’s supposed to say “I’m wondering”
Jen
February 14, 2017 at 4:55 pmThey are actually both pretty warm and thick but I think the Moby might be a little cooler. I also used a wrap called Happy Baby Wrapwhich is super thin and breathable if you need one for hot weather. I found it just as supportive. Good luck!